ERA NanoSci - Femtosecond Nano-Optical Magnetic Recording and Retrieval

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Bert Hecht
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Theoretical Chemistry: Electronic Structure, Dynamics, Simulation
• Term: from 2009 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 118681512

The goal of this project is to achieve ultrafast and efficient interaction and controlling of nanomagnets with light and to develop sub-ps near-field magneto-optics and opto-magnetism. In particular, the project aims to realize both ultrafast (10^{-12} s and faster) optical control of magnetism at the nanoscale and ultrafast sensitive detection of spins with nanometer spatial resolution, using suitable nano-optical structures such as resonant nano-antennas and hollow nanopyramids. An ambition of the research program is to initiate the development of novel technologies for unprecedented fast all-optical recording and processing of magnetically stored information. The research is in the scope of the call because it a) deals with the functional coupling between a nano-object (nanomagnet) and a larger object (light) through an identified nano-specific gateway (specially designed nano-optical structures) and b) provides enabling steps towards interfacing nanomagnets and light.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Italy, Netherlands
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Marco Finazzi, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Alexey Kimel